What custom software
actually costs
in Melbourne.
No vague estimates. No bait-and-switch. Three price bands, the variables that move the number, and the questions to ask before you sign anything.
Three honest ranges.
These cover 95% of custom software projects we see. Each range assumes a production-grade build on a well-understood stack — not a prototype.
One clearly scoped workflow with 1–2 integrations. Good fit for businesses replacing a single spreadsheet or Airtable hack.
- Quoting engine
- Booking portal
- Job dispatch board
- Client intake form + CRM
Multiple connected modules with role-based access, 3–6 integrations, and reporting. Replaces 3–5 SaaS tools.
- CRM + ops + reporting
- ERP for 10–50 staff
- White-label client portal
- Field service platform
Complex permissions, high data volumes, or software you plan to sell to other businesses. Treated as a product build, not a project.
- SaaS product (multi-tenant)
- Industry-specific platform
- Multi-location ops suite
- Marketplace or exchange
All prices in AUD, inc. discovery. Ongoing support and hosting are separate — see the FAQ below for typical retainer costs.
Six things that push
the number up.
Every project is different, but these factors consistently separate a $20,000 scope from a $70,000 one.
Each role (admin, manager, staff, client) adds access logic, views, and test surface area. Simpler is faster.
Xero, Stripe, HubSpot each add 2–4 weeks of scoping, build and testing. Undocumented or legacy APIs cost more.
Simple dashboards are cheap. Real-time multi-dimensional reporting with drill-downs is a significant scope item.
Offline-first apps (field crews without reliable signal) require a sync architecture — adds 30–50% to scope.
Privacy Act, NDIS, healthcare, or financial services compliance adds audit logging, encryption at rest, and review cycles.
Poorly scoped projects routinely double in cost. A documented discovery pass is the single best investment before you build.
The “from $4,997” trap.
Some agencies advertise suspiciously low prices on suburb and service pages — typically “from $4,997” or similar. These prices are almost always for a landing page template or a no-code prototype, not production software.
When you enquire, the real quote comes back 5–10x higher. You've already invested time in calls and briefings, which makes it harder to walk away.
ROI model first.
Scope second.
Quote third.
Every StratifyIQ engagement starts with a strategy call and a scoping pass. Before we quote a dollar, we document the exact workflows, user roles, integrations and expected ROI. You get a written scope and a business case — fixed price, no surprises.
If the build doesn't make commercial sense, we'll tell you before you spend anything. That honesty is why clients come back for a second and third platform.
30 minutes. We understand the problem, the team, and the existing stack. No sales pitch.
$2,500–$5,000. Produces a detailed scope, architecture, timeline and ROI model. Yours to keep regardless.
One price, one contract. Weekly demos. Source code, docs and keys handed over on completion.
Optional but recommended. Same team, monitoring included, feature roadmap managed as a product.
Pricing questions, answered.
Know exactly what it
costs before you commit.
Book a free 30-minute strategy call. We'll scope the project, model the ROI, and give you a fixed price — no surprises, no hourly billing.